Colle di Sant'Albino

Overview

Colle di Sant'Albino is a compact climb that packs a genuine sting into a short distance. Over just 2.2 km the road lifts you from 255 m to a summit of 396 m, a net gain of 141 m at an average gradient of 6.43%. That earns it a category 4 rating — the gentlest of the ranked categories that run down from HC (hors catégorie, the hardest) through 1, 2, 3 and 4 — but the label undersells how firm the climbing feels once you are on it. With a maximum pitch of 8.02%, this is a climb you settle into quickly and can measure end to end.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Sant'Albino is consistency. An average of 6.43% across 2.2 km means there is very little flat and very little respite; the road simply keeps tilting upward at a rate that stays honest the whole way. The steepest section touches 8.02%, only about 1.59 points above the average, which tells you the climb rarely spikes or eases dramatically. Instead of a wall followed by a plateau, you get a sustained ramp. Because the total ascent registers at 124 m while the net elevation change is 141 m, the profile is effectively all up, without dips that would let you coast and recover before the next effort.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short, pacing is about restraint at the bottom. The temptation is to attack the opening metres, but with 2.2 km of uninterrupted 6.43% ahead, going into the red early costs you dearly near the top where the gradient nudges toward 8.02%. Aim to ride at or just below your FTP for the duration — this is short enough to hold a threshold effort start to finish, but long enough that overcooking it will show. If you are unsure of your threshold power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first so you can set a realistic target watts rather than guessing. Treat the final ramp to 396 m as the place to spend whatever you have left.

Gearing

Sant'Albino does not demand ultra-low ratios, but a 6.43% average with pitches to 8.02% rewards having a spare gear in hand. For most riders a compact chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is plenty to spin the steeper section without grinding. If you carry more fatigue, prefer a higher cadence, or expect to ride the climb at the end of a long day, a 34×34 gives extra margin on the ramp toward the summit and keeps your legs turning cleanly across all 141 m of gain.

Summary

Colle di Sant'Albino is a short, honest, steadily pitched climb — the kind you can ride hard from bottom to top once you respect the opening kilometre. Consistent gradient, a clear summit, and no tricks.

Length: 2.2 km
Average gradient: 6.43%
Max gradient: 8.02%
Start: 255 m
Summit: 396 m
Net gain: 141 m
Total ascent: 124 m
Category: 4